Because of the increasing ethnic diversity of schools today, accompanied by a rash of racial incidents, some schools are seeking to promote ethnic understanding and appreciation. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the ethnic changes in the nation's schools. Chapter 2 presents information about ethnic interactions in the schools and focuses attention on how students' and staff members' preconceptions of other ethnic groups influence the social environment of the schools. Chapter 3 highlights some effective approaches to generate cultural appreciation. The final chapter recommends steps that schools can take to alleviate racial tensions through a proactive approach to generating multicultural understanding. Addresses of 11 resource agencies are appended and 22 references and eight interviewees are listed. (SI)